Update, 4:50 p.m.: I see that the AP headline has been changed to the equally confused “Analysis: Do the Dems have a Goldilocks?”
I present the following AP story, headline and opening paragraphs:
Analysis: Who’s the Dems Goldilocks?
By RON FOURNIER, Associated Press Writer
Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton is too experienced, Sen. Barack Obama too raw. Listening to Democrats give their Goldilocks view of the 2008 presidential campaign must make voters wonder: Will any candidate be just right for the White House?
“Senator Obama does represent change. Senator Clinton has experience. Change and experience,” New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson said Sunday, making a balancing gesture with his hands. “With me, you get both.”
The frame the writer is working with is the story of Goldilocks and the Three Bears. But it wasn’t Goldilocks who was “just right”; she was the one who determined what was “just right,” which happened to be everything that belonged to Baby Bear. Goldilocks in this use would represent Democrat primary voters; they’re looking for the candidate with the qualifications of a Baby Bear.
But don’t forget how the story ends. When Goldilocks actually meets Baby Bear, along with his family, she runs screaming from the room and they never see her again.
Addendum: If you discard the original use of the analogy, however, the reporter makes a cogent observation here:
Edwards clearly wants to be the Goldilocks candidate
Clearly indeed!
